McGee, who had denied the charge, appeared to blink away tears as the jury at Liverpool Crown Court returned their verdict of manslaughter by gross negligence following three hours and five minutes of deliberations.

Georgia’s mum Paula Redmond, 41, gave a statement outside court following the verdict.

She said: “As a parent Georgia was our only child. In fact for me she was my entire family.

“To say she was a wonderful amazing daughter would be a massive understatement. She was the best.

“Such a lovely polite respectful young lady who was popular and full of fun and laughter and an absolute joy to be around.

“Everybody who knew Georgia, of which there were many, absolutely loved Georgia because of these and so many other qualities.

“We have listened as our daughter was portrayed as being a drunken liability when in all honesty she did no more than what many teenagers do of a weekend. She went out to celebrate her friend’s birthday.

“The only liability that night was a train guard who Georgia had the catastrophic misfortune to encounter for he had very little if any regard at all for our daughter and her safety

“Christopher McGee will complete his sentence and return to his family. Mine is now gone for ever.”

Earlier there were gasps in the public gallery when the verdict was announced from where the defendant’s supporters and Georgia’s family had followed proceedings.

The jury were then discharged from reaching a verdict in an alternative, lesser charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Trial judge Mr Justice Holroyde said he would pass sentence at 10am tomorrow.

He remanded McGee in custody saying it was a "very serious offence" and he faces a sentence of imprisonment.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Taylor of British Transport Police said the year-long investigation into the case had been 'extremely difficult for all involved'.

He added: "Georgia died in tragic circumstances and it is right and proper that the details surrounding her death were examined by a court and jury.

"Train guards sometimes work in extremely challenging circumstances, but it is important to remember they have a duty of care to those who travel on their rail services.

"When this duty of care is not satisfactorily met, it is our duty to present the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service who, where necessary, refer the matter to the courts.

"I hope, following today's verdict, Georgia's family can now gain some sense of closure and begin to put their lives back together."

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Alastair Machray

Alastair Machray was appointed editor of The Liverpool Echo in 2005 and is also editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He is a former editor of The Daily Post (Wales and England) and editor-in-chief of the company's Welsh operations. Married dad-of-two and keen golfer Alastair is one of the longest-serving newspaper editors in the country. His titles have won numerous awards and spearheaded numerous successful campaigns.